Worcester CAMRA gets nautical

Picture the scene; a balmy sun-kissed August evening, a stately river boat trip up the historic Severn to a river-side hostelry to sample fine ales and engage in friendly conversation, before drifting slowly back downstream to the City. And apart from the weather, that’s pretty much how the latest Branch Social went. Under lowering skies that threatened more rain, thirty-one intrepid CAMRA members and partners boarded The Earl, a historic 50-seater former launch ferry run by Worcester Boat Trips (http://www.worcesterboattrips.co.uk), at Worcester South Quay. Welcomed aboard by Andy and Captain Jake we were soon making our way upriver, out of the City and into the Worcestershire countryside. The on-board sideboard that serves as the bar housed a range of bottled beers, including offerings from Bathams, Holdens, Enville, Sharpes, Fullers and Indian Runner, together with a selection of bottled ciders. Even under grey skies, the river-side scenery was wonderful, a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in this part of the world.

The landing stage at the Camp Inn, damaged by Storm Doris in February, has not yet been repaired, but we all managed to disembark without mishap and proceeded to form a long but orderly queue at the tiny bar of the Camp. On tap at the bar were Bathams Best Bitter, Wadworth 6X and Wainwright (Marston’s), together with Thatcher’s and Robinson’s ciders. The rain, mostly, held off allowing us to sit in the garden overlooking the river, careful to avoid the free-roaming geese and predatory peacock. As dusk fell we were shepherded back onto the boat for the 40-minute trip back to Worcester and a raid on the sideboard. On arrival, many of us made the short stagger up to The Plough to complete the evening. A great time was had by all, so much so that the proposal was made for this to be an annual event. Many thanks to Andy and Captain Jake for hosting us on their boat, and a special thanks to Griff for organising the trip.